Tsan Lifts Bobcat Women’s Tennis Team to Win over Eastern Washington

Friday, April 12

Cheney, WA

TBA

Montana State University

Eastern Washington

Wena Tsan

Photo by: Kelly Gorham

Tsan Lifts Bobcat Women’s Tennis Team to Win over Eastern Washington

4/13/2013 8:41:00 PM | Women's Tennis

Montana State junior Wena Tsan posted a come-from-behind 6-7, 6-3, 6-3 win over Eastern Washington’s Ryann Warner at No. 5 singles to lift the Bobcats to a 4-3 win over the Eagles, late Friday night at Thorpe Fieldhouse.

By: Tom Schulz

Montana State junior Wena Tsan posted a come-from-behind 6-7, 6-3, 6-3 win over Eastern Washington's Ryann Warner at No. 5 singles to lift the Bobcats to a 4-3 win over the Eagles, late Friday night at Thorpe Fieldhouse.

The victory inched the Bobcats one step closer to clinching a spot in the Big Sky Conference tournament. Idaho State, who has a 2-6 league mark, is the only school remaining that could catch MSU. The Bengals would have to win out in its two remaining contests, while the Bobcats (4-4) would have to lose twice, including a head-to-head encounter with ISU.

“We found a way to get it done against Eastern Washington,” said MSU head coach Denise Albrecht. “The girls fought really hard and wanted the win. Wena clinched the match with a super effort. I thought Ellie (Crum) and Paulina (Lopez) played strong as well.”

Montana State opened the match earning the doubles point with wins at Nos. 2 and 3. After dropping an 8-5 decision at No. 1 doubles and getting an 8-6 decision from Crum and Tsan at No. 3, MSU's tandem of Iva Parapunova and Liana Bates notched an 8-6 win at No. 2 to put the Bobcats up 1-0 heading into singles action.

“Since mixing up our doubles last weekend we've had great results,” Albrecht said. “It is crucial to get the doubles point in these close matches.”

The Bobcats opened up a 3-0 advantage with wins at Nos. 2 and 4 singles as Lopez and Crum cruised to straight set victories. Eastern Washington closed the margin to 3-2 as Chelsea Patton notched a 6-1, 7-5 decision at No. 3, and Moira Hedberg eked out a hard-fought 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 win over Char Hjalmarsson at the top spot.

Tsan gave MSU the match after rebounding from a loss in the first set tiebreaker, with back-to-back 6-3 wins over Warner. EWU closed the final score to 4-3 winning at No. 6 singles.

“Wena was tough,” Albrecht said. “She does a good job stepping up at big moments. We grinded this win out and it wasn't our prettiest effort, but I'm pleased with the momentum we've gained over the last couple of weeks, as we head toward the Big Sky tournament.”

The Bobcats will host Southern Utah on Monday at 1 p.m. in the Anderson Tennis Center.

Results: Montana State 4, Eastern Washington 3

Singles: 1. Moira Hedberg (EW) d. Char Hjalmarsson (MSU) 4-6, 6-3, 7-5; 2. Paulina Lopez (MSU) d. Chrissy Uriarte 6-1, 6-3; 3. Chelsea Patton (EWU) d. Iva Parapunova 6-1, 7-5; 4. Ellie Crum (MSU) d. Kelsey Knight (EWU) 6-3, 7-5; 5. Wena Tsan (MSU) d. Ryann Warner (EWU) 6-7, 6-3, 6-3; 6. Alexia Filliol (EWU) d. Liana Bates (MSU) 5-7, 6-2, 6-2. Doubles: 1. Hedberg/Patton (EW) d. Hjalmarsson/Lopez (MSU) 8-5; 2. Parapunova/Bates (MSU) d. Warner/Rocio Norena (EWU) 8-6; 3. Crum/Tsan (MSU) d. Knight/Uriarte (EWU) 8-6.